The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded a contract worth up to 4.9 billion USD for Rohde & Schwarz USA to replace analogue voice communication infrastructure across US air traffic control facilities.
The agreement will see the introduction of the company’s CERTIUM Voice Communication System (VCS), a digital platform designed for use in airports and air traffic control environments. Production of the systems is set to take place at a newly opened manufacturing site in Frederick, Maryland, alongside an expanded facility in Coppell, Texas.
The programme forms part of the FAA’s Brand-New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) initiative, which aims to update ageing infrastructure within the US National Airspace System. The rollout involves the installation of voice-over-IP technology intended to support communication between controllers and pilots while maintaining operational reliability.
The first deployment under the contract became operational in September 2025 at Allegheny County Airport near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Additional installations have since been completed at several locations, including Beaumont in Texas, Wilmington in Delaware, Lewiston in Idaho and Bellingham in Washington.
Rohde & Schwarz USA is proud to work with the FAA on this important project to modernize the air traffic control communication systems in the U.S. airspace. It’s important we use this opportunity to reestablish U.S. expertise in ATC voice communication systems. With this program we are creating over 200 additional highly skilled jobs, elevating Rohde & Schwarz USA’s total workforce to over 1,000 members. In addition, we are expanding and investing in new facilities to add manufacturing capacity in America.
Rohde & Schwarz USA has previously worked with a range of US government and infrastructure organisations, including projects linked to transport security, maritime search and rescue, and naval communications systems.
